Costa scores again, sent off in 2nd game back at Atletico
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Diego Costa was at his best - and worst - on Saturday when the Atletico Madrid striker was sent off after celebrating a goal that helped to beat Getafe 2-0 in his second match back at the club.
Costa already had one booking for elbowing a Getafe player when he tapped in Atletico's second goal in the 68th minute. But instead of embracing his teammates, he ran around the net and to the edge of the stands where he was hugged by fans, earning him a second booking.
Far from reproaching the 29-year-old Costa, Atletico coach Diego Simeone praised the player he hopes can lead the team to the same heights they reached in 2013 and 2014, when they won the Copa del Rey followed by the Spanish league title.
"Costa gives us intensity and power, and he inspires fear. You can feel it and see it," Simeone said. "We have known him for a long time. We know how he plays and that he always pushes the limits. His courage and passion to fight for every ball is transmitted in each play."
Second-place Atletico is within six points of Liga leader Barcelona, which hosts Levante on Sunday.
Despite not having played a competitive match since June, Costa has shown no rust from his long layoff while waiting for Atletico's yearlong ban on new players to expire at the start of January.
The goal was Costa's second in as many appearances since making his return to Atletico from Chelsea. He scored as a substitute on Wednesday in a 4-0 victory at Lleida in the Copa del Rey's round of 16.
Costa started Saturday's match by curling a shot onto the top of the net and setting up Antoine Griezmann before the France forward assisted Angel Correa for the hosts' opener in the 18th.
Besides providing added punch to Atletico's attack, Costa also showed the same knack for rattling rivals with his aggressive attitude and physical play.
The Brazilian-born Spain striker had to be separated from Getafe's Juan Cala when the two exchanged words after the halftime whistle, and he was booked for elbowing Dakonam Djene when they contested a ball in the 62nd.
Then came Costa's goal, a cool side-footed shot to slot Sime Vrsaljko's low cross just into the post, followed by his excessive celebration.
"(Costa) is contagious, and he showed all that he is, scoring a goal and getting sent off," Atletico midfielder Gabi Fernandez said. "Costa doesn't have to adapt to us, he came ready to play. That's why we wanted him."
The derby at Atletico's Wanda Metropolitano Stadium was a bad-tempered match that featured 10 total bookings.
Costa's sending-off means he will miss next round's trip to Eibar.
Costa helped Chelsea win the English Premier league title last season before he fell out of favor with coach Antonio Conte.
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WINNING AGAIN
Coach Marcelino Garcia Toral returned to Valencia's sideline to oversee its first win in three rounds, a 2-1 comeback at home over Girona.
Valencia remained in third place, two points behind Atletico and six ahead of Real Madrid, which has two games in hand.
Garcia Toral missed Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Las Palmas in the Copa del Rey while he recovered from a car accident reportedly caused when his car hit a wild boar on Dec. 23.
The Valencia manager wore a neck brace under his coat for Saturday's match, when Dani Parejo converted a penalty after Girona's Ramalho scored an own-goal to cancel out the opener by Cristian "Portu" Portugues.
Forward Luciano Vietto debuted for Atletico as a late substitute after arriving on loan from Atletico.
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DERBY DUEL
Real Betis won a wild Seville derby by rolling to a 5-3 victory at Sevilla, ruining the home debut of Italian coach Vincenzo Montella.
Betis never trailed, although Sevilla leveled at 2-2 by halftime. But Riza Durmisi, Sergio Leon and Cristian Tello scored in the second half to deal Sevilla its first home loss in league play since Nov. 2016.
Police arrested 23 people for participating in a fight between fans of Sevilla and Real Betis hours before the match. Authorities said that the rival fans had arranged the meeting in order to fight.
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INSTANT IMPACT
Substitute Fabian Orellana scored three minutes into his debut for Eibar to spark a 2-1 comeback at last-place Las Palmas.
Orellana arrived on loan from Valencia in the winter market.